The North/South Divide: Where To Take The Tube Next?

I have issues with Crossrail. There, I’ve said it. Sure it connects many commuters outside London in astonishing time (provided it actually runs unlike the rest of our services). Yes it will ease congestion on the Central line. But really, did half the places on that line deserve yet another connection into the city?

I come from Southwest London, which has earned me such joys as Southern Rail strikes. The numerous problems caused by such a dire service would have been better dealt with had the Southwest – or should I say the entire South – been considered for the Tube. Yes, we have Wimbledon and Morden, but really that’s as close as it gets. If you live in Bromley, Croydon, Epsom or beyond, you’re utterly without an underground.

Take a look at a Google Map overlay of the tube and you’ll see what I mean. Trace the path of the M25 and you’ll realise just how much tube is lacking below the Thames. Fewer than 10% of Underground stations are south of the river, and seven boroughs of London aren’t served at all. Of these seven, six are south.

This isn’t my only qualm, oh no. Other areas far more central don’t get a look in either. Clapham Junction is the busiest station in the UK – yet travellers must go elsewhere to connect to the tube. Of course it’s south of the river so maybe that’s why… CJ remains left off the tube map while places like Liverpool Street will be attached to yet another line.

Why is this? I refuse to believe it’s because there isn’t a need. There may be fewer people living in South London, but then it’s a smaller area overall as marked out by the Thames. There honestly doesn’t seem to be a justifiable reason, and it’s not a new complaint either. Morden tube station opened in 1926, hoping to cease complaints from neglected southerly residents. That’s nearly a 100 years of feeling slighted for Southerners.

Some officials say it makes more monetary sense to extend existing tube lines rather than build others. Yet these always conveniently extend only North, West and East. There’s been mention of the Bakerloo getting a southerly addition, but nothing has come of it yet. Other stations, like Sutton, are begging for tube access but go unheard. Apparently, the assumption was the South would be left to National Rail, while the North got the Underground instead. I’d like a refund please.

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